OBITUARY: John Pappas, 87

John Pappas, a resident of Smyrna, DE since 1960, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Pinnacle Health Care in Smyrna on Friday, October 12, 2012. He was 87.

Submitted

John Pappas, a resident of Smyrna, DE since 1960, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Pinnacle Health Care in Smyrna on Friday, October 12, 2012.

He was 87.

Mr. Pappas was born November 29, 1924 in Shenandoah, PA. Together with his sister, Betty Virginia Pappas, they were raised in Kimberton, PA by their beloved foster parents; the late Joseph and Ella Mae Ditterline, whom they considered to be their father and mother.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 63 years, Florence R. "Lolly" Pappas.

John met Lolly in Phoenixville, PA and they were married just before he served his country in the US Army, 101st Airborne during World War II. He participated in the invasion of Europe, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne, Belgium.

In 1949, he joined Local 542, International Union of Operating Engineers primarily as a Heavy Equipment Operator. His long list of projects throughout the region included working on the 2nd span of the Delaware Memorial Bridge with his son, John. He retired in 1988 as a Life Member.

At home he could repair everything and took pride in making old things look new again.

He loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing and gardening. He enjoyed watching baseball and passed along a love of his Greek heritage, music and playing the guitar to his children and grandchildren.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, he is survived by his family, his son, John Pappas of Las Vegas, NV, his daughter-in-law, Carolyn Pappas also of Las Vegas; his daughter, Linda Still and her husband, Ron of Smyrna, his daughter, Debbie Poore and her special friend, Nick Blendy of Chesapeake City, MD, his son, Jerry Pappas of Felton, DE; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He will be loved and remembered for his strength, wisdom, kind heart, and generous spirit.

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